AFC Wimbledon Academy 2024-25

Highlights from the AFC Wimbledon Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.

AFC Wimbledon Academy runs a category 3 academy based in London.

AFC Wimbledon Academy Scholars 2024/25

The following seven scholars are joining the Academy for the new season

  1. Eterne Djedje (Goalkeeper)
  2. Kiayon Moore (Defender)
  3. Sam Goma (Defender)
  4. Oro Shaun Soukou (Defender)
  5. Tom Carvalho-Norris (Midfielder)
  6. Joe Kirby (Midfielder)
  7. Harry Hedges (Forward)

AFC Wimbledon Academy Players On Loan 2024/25

Players on loan

  1. Paris Lock (Forward) Braintree Town
  2. Reuben Amissah (Midfielder) Marlow
  3. Kai Jennings (Midfielder) Whitehawk; Walton & Hersham
  4. Leo Young (Defender) Hastings United
  5. Harry Sidwell (Midfielder) Havant & Waterloo; Enfield Town
  6. Morgan Williams (Midfielder) Dorking Wanderers
  7. Ethan Sutcliffe (Defender) Tonbridge
  8. Jake Lawrence (Midfielder) Kingstonian
  9. Riley Horan (Defender) Walton & Hersham FC
  10. Kai McKenzie (Forward) Binfield

AFC Wimbledon Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25

  1. Paris Lock (Forward) #20
  2. Harry Sidwell (Midfielder) #24
  3. Ethan Sutcliffe (Defender) #25
  4. Morgan Williams (Midfielder) #27
  5. Isaac Ogundere (Defender) #33
  6. Harry Hedges (Midfielder) #34
  7. Ed Leach (Forward) #37

AFC Wimbledon Academy Competitions For 2024/25

U17 Professional Development League Cup

The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.

U17 PDL Plate 8th Finals

  1. Won at home against Sheffield United U17 (2 – 1)

U17 PDL Plate Quarter-Finals

  1. Won away against Gillingham U17 (2 – 1)

U18 Youth Alliance Cup

The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.

The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.

Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.

In the group stage, AFC Wimbledon U18 are drawn in Group H against under-18 teams from Sutton United, Gillingham, Leyton Orient and Bromley.

U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage

  1. Lost away against Leyton Orient U18 (1 – 0)
  2. Lost at home against Sutton United U18 (2 – 0)
  3. Lost away against Gillingham U18 (3 – 2)
  4. Lost at home against Bromley U18 (2 – 1)

U18 Professional Development League Cup

Established for the 2021/22 season, the Professional Development League Cup features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.

The group winners advance to the knockout stages.

U18 Professional Development League Cup Group Stage

AFC Wimbledon U18 are drawn in Group F against under-18 teams from Coventry, Brentford and Watford.

  1. Won away against Coventry U18 (3 – 2)
  2. Drew at home against Watford U18 (1 – 1)
  3. Lost away against Brentford U18 (1 – 0)

AFC Wimbledon Academy News

16th September 2024

Everton have signed 16-year-old midfielder Justin Clarke

19th October 2024

In the 1st round of the FA Youth Cup, AFC Wimbledon have been drawn away to Sutton United.

30th October 2024

After beating Sutton United away 1 – 0 in the first round, AFC Wimbledon has secured a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.

1st November 2024

AFC Wimbledon U18s have been drawn away to Eastleigh in the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup.

15th November 2024

In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, AFC Wimbledon have been drawn at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers if they win their match against Eastleigh.

19th November 2024

AFC Wimbledon are through to the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup to face Wolverhampton Wanderers after beating Eastleigh 6 – 0.

Under-15 goalkeeper Charlie Wilson-Papps has transferred to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for a significant six-figure fee.

AFC has a strong track record of developing talented goalkeepers, including Spike Brits (Man City), Matthew Cox (Brentford), Joe Whitworth (Crystal Palace), Josef Bursik (Club Brugge), and Will Mannion (Charlton Athletic).

2nd January 2025

Key highlights for the academy in 2024 included:

  • Four players signing their first professional contracts with the club.
  • Two players moving to Premier League academies.
  • One player transferring to an EFL Championship club.

15th January 2025

Academy Manager Michael Hamilton reflects on a successful 2024 for the academy, highlighted by their victory in the 2024 EFL Under-17 Youth Cup against Blackpool at Plough Lane.

Young Players Released

  1. Morgan Williams (Joins King’s Lynn)
  2. Paris Lock
  3. Huseyin Biler
  4. Reuben Amissah

Not Offered Professional Contract

  1. Bailey Cotton
  2. Ethan McGrath
  3. Jake Lawrence
  4. Conor Harris (Joins Farnborough FC)
  5. Kai McKenzie